Last year, I attended a property show-flat for a new launch near my place.
As part of the viewing process, I gave my contact details to the company.
Ever since that day, I have been receiving a countless number of SMS messages promoting different property launches and related services like rental of apartments and housing loans.
Usually, I’m pretty tolerant towards receiving SMS marketing messages. But this time round, I felt that they have really crossed the line.
Each SMS will come with a “please reply UN to unsubscribe”. I faithfully do that but continue to receive SMS messages. The problem is that some of these messages were sent by individuals. The company had probably gave my number to all their agents and perhaps even sold their database to other companies.
Does that mean I have to unsubscribe to all their agents individually?
In Singapore, receiving marketing messages is on an opt-out basis. Companies have a right to broadcast their message to you unless you opt-out. I am fine with that but sometimes, it is so difficult to opt-out!
Our regulators here should put in place (and enforce) a stronger set of rules regarding permissible marketing.
Some other countries have stronger rules in place.
For example, in UAE, banks and other financial institutions are barred from cold-calling customers to market loans and investment products.